Stencil-machine.



A: J. BRADLEY. STBNGIL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8,1908.

920,530. 7 Patented May'4,1909.

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A.- J. BRADLEY. STENCIL MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED IEZB.8,1908.

Patnted May 4, 1909.

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' A. J. BRADLEY.

. STENCIL MACHINE. APPLIOXTION FILED FEB. 8,1908. v 92Q,53Q Patented May4, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES ANDREW .T. BRADLEY,

OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

STENCIL-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4:, 1909.

Application filed February 8, 1908. Serial No. 414,857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. BRADLEY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have inventeda certain new and useful Improvement in Stencil-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to stencil machines.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to simplify theconstruction and cheapen the manufacture of a stencil machine.

Another object is to secure speed and ease in the operation of stencilmachines.

Another object is to protect the operator from injury.

Another object is to facilitate the adjustment of the means forpositioning the stencil blank with respect to the stencil cuttingdevices.

Another object is to secure an accurate centering of the stencil cuttingdevices with respect to the stencil blank.

Another object is to facilitate the removal of the outer portion of thehand lever.

Another object is to provide for the operation of the machine by anoperator who is in either a standing or a sitting position.

It consists in the arrangements and coir binations of parts hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification, andwherein l like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1is a plan view of a stencil machine embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 isa horizontal section thereof on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 with parts brokenaway; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section thereofon the line 33 ofFig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail view of the adjustable supporting stud andits adjusting screw; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating thefeed wheel and its companion idler wheel; Fig. 6 is partly a frontelevation of the machine and partly a vertical section on the line 6-6of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the adjustable guidefor the stencil blank; Fig. 8 is a detail view of the pivot pin forcircular stencils.

The frame of the machine comprises a base 1 and a yoke 2- supportedthereby. The middle portion of this yoke constitutes a hub or hearing 3for a vertical shaft 4 whose l lower end is journaled in the base of theframe. The upright members of the yoke are located at the rear andsides, leaving an open space at the front between the yoke and the base.The yoke extends forward and constitutes a support for the punchactuating devices hereinafter described. Fastened to said shaft andconcentric therewith is a die carrier, comprising a base men ber 5having a series of brackets 6 extending outwardly from the peripherythereof. Fixed on said base member of the die carrier is a circularplate 7, preferably of sheet steel, whose outer portion overlaps theperiphery of said base member and rests on the peripheral brackets 6thereof. Preferably, the marginal portion of said plate projects beyondthe peripheral brackets and overlaps a supporting piece 8 which isprovided therefor'on thefront portion of the base of the frame.Preferably, this supporting piece comprises a headed stud whichisloosely mounted on a threaded stud 9 so as to be vertically adjustable.This plate 7 of the die carrier .has a series of holes 1.0 arrangedconcentric with the shaft and above the respective spaces between theperipheral brackets. The cutting dies 11 are mounted on said platedirectly over said holes.

Above the die carrier is a circular punch. holder, which comprises a hub12 fixed to the shaft and a marginal portion 13 which is bifurcated.On'the underside of the web or body of said punch holder are a series ofradial braces or ribs which extend from the hub to the vertical memberof the angular flange which forms the bifurcated marginal portion of thepunch holder. in each member of said bifurcation is acircular series ofholes, the holes of the upper series being in vertical alinement withthose of the lower series and with the respective dies, and constitutingbearings for the shanks 14 of the gPUIlChES. Mounted on the punch holderadjacent to each punch and. bridging the bifurcation is a plate 15 whichhas a vertical slot 16 therein. In each slot fits a pin 17 mounted onthe shank of a punch, whereby the punch is guided or prevented fromturning during the reciprocations. Surrounding the shank of each punchis a spring 18 which bears at its upper end against the guide pin and atits lower end against the punch holder whereby the punch is normallyheld in its uppermost position. The outer side of the shank of eachpunch has a transverse groove or slot 19 therein arranged to cooperatewith the plunger or ram 20 hereinafter described. This plunger or ram 20is slidably mounted in a vertical guide provided therefor in the forwardpart of the yoke in position to cooperate with the punch shanks. Thelower end of the plunger has a transverse T-shaped slot 21 forming anundercut portion or flange which is adapted to engage the abovedescribed groove in the upper portion of the punch shanks. Said plungeris connected by a link 22 to a hand lever 13, which is fulcrumed on theyoke at the front of the machine. By this arrangement, the punch holderis free to rotate clear of the plunger so long as the plunger and thepunches are in their normal positions; but the upward or downwardmovement of the plunger causes it to engage and operate the punch -whichis in operative relation to it at the time.

Preferably, the arm or handle bar 24 of the hand lever is removable fromthe base portion thereof, which is provided with two sockets 25 arrangedat approximately right angles to each other and adapted to receive theend of said bar. On one side of each socket 25 is a perforated lug 26,and parallel with the perforations in said lug is a hole opening intosaid socket. An annular groove 27 is provided on. the handle bar, and inthis groove is received the short leg of a rebent pin 28 whose long legextends through said perforated lug. The long leg of the rebent orU-shaped pin projects beyond the lever and is screw-threaded to receivea nut 29. A spring 30 surrounds said pin and bears at its ends againstthe nut and said lug. By pressing upon said nut the pin 18 moved fromthe groove 27, and the handle bar may be readily withdrawn from itssocket. Suitable stops 31, 32 for the forward and backward movement ofthe hand lever are provided; as, for instance, adjustable screws mountedon the frame.

The device for centering the plunger and punch holder with respect toeach other is as follows: Passing through a hole in the back flange ofthe plunger and rigidly sccured to the said plunger is a verticalcentering pin 33 which extends upwardly through a guide hole in the yokeinto a vertical socket 34 provided therefor in the yoke. The plunger andthe centering pin are held in normal position by a coiled spring 35which surrounds the centering pin and bears against a nut or flange 36at the upper end of said centering pin and at the lower end bearsagainst the bottom of its socket. The centering pin is adapted to enterinto cooperative holes in the uppermember of the bifurcation 13.

Mounted on the upper end of the shaft 4 is a hand wheel 37 on which isfastened a dial or circular indicator plate 38 containing letters andfigures corresponding to the respective dies and punches. An indicatorneedle 39 is fastened to the front portion of the yoke and extends upand over the periphery of the said hand wheel so as to cooperate withsaid dial. On both sides of the upper portion. of the said indicatorneedle are arms 40 which are preferably integral with the yoke andextend almost to the periphery of said handwheel. This constructionconstitutes an efiective guide for protecting the operators hand. Asecond indicator is provided in the form of a metal hoop or band 41surrounding and clamped to the periphery of the punch holder. A pointer42 for this indicator is mounted on the yoke and is preferably madeintegral with a stripper plate 43 hereinafter described. The arrangementof both indicators with respect to the punches and dies is such thatwhen their respective pointers indicate a certain letter or figure, theplunger is in cooperative relation with the punch and die bearing thecorresponding letter or figure.

Fastened to and depending from the front part of the yoke of the machineis a stripper plate 43 of sheet metal. In the body portion of saidplate, in alinement with the ram or plunger, is an opening of suitablesize and shape to permit the passage therethrough of th respectivepunches. The body portion. of the stripper lies far enough above thedies to permit the stencil blank to pass between them. In the verticalportion of the stripper plate 43 just described is an opening orsuitable size to expose to view the letter or figure on the indicator 4]on the rim of the punch holder. The pointer 42 for said indicator is, asabove stated, preferably integral with said stripper plate.

Mounted on the yoke and preferably integral therewith is a guard web 44,which incases the upper front portion of the punch holder and partsmounted thereon. This guard web extends laterally or l'iorizontally andis curved concentric with the main shaft. Said guard web is of angularsection, comprising a top member which overlaps the marginal portion ofthe punch holder and a vertical portion that serves to screen the frontof the punch holder. Preferably, the web is extended to the lateralmembers of the yoke and thereby serves to give rigidity to theframework.

The mechanism for feeding the stencil blank is as follows: A base member45 is slidably mounted in vertical guides provided therefor in the frontportion of the frame and is fastened to the plunger so as to movetherewith. Mounted on said base member is a spring pawl 46 which isarranged to engage and cooperate with a ratchet wheel 47 which isloosely mounted on a horizontal shaft and fixed to the main feed wheel47 which is also loose on said shaft. This feed wheel 47 preferably hasa double flanged and knurled tire. A scalloped or notched wheel 48 isalso loose on said shaft and fixed to said notched wheel 47. Mounted onsaid. base member in position to cooperate with said notched wheel 48 isa steadying spring 49 whose lower end is preferably triangw larly bentor otherwise arranged to enter the indentations of said scalloped wheeland thereby center said feed mechanism. Below and cooperating with saidfeed wheel is an idler wheel 50 which extends upward through a holeprovided therefor in the feed table 51. Said feed table 51 is a flatshell located at the front portion of the machine about flush with thetop of the dies and with the point of contact between the feed and idlerrollers. The upper surface of this shelf is marked with a spacing orpositioning scale 52 and also with a series of centering holes 53. 011said feed table is a straight rule or guide 5 1 whose ends are fixed tobrackets 55 which extend around and under the depending side marginalflanges of said feed table. Said brackets are normally held in positionby springs 56 which bear upwardly against the under surface of saidmarginal flanges. In the left hand bracket is a vertical socket, inwhich is slidably mounted a spring-actuated push bar 57 whose upper endis provided with a knob or hand piece 58. This push bar is pivotallyattached to the end of a lever 59 which is pivoted on the other, orrighthand bracket. Said lever extends under and forms a support andactuating mechanism for a rocker frame or member 60 on which isjournaled the idler wheel 50 above mentioned. The axle of the idlerwheel has a spherical enlargement 61 of a diameter to fit the bore ofthe idler wheel, which is free to move endwise slightly on said axle andis permitted to rock on said spherical portion. By this arrangement, theidler wheel is free to adapt itself to variations of conditions and tomaintain an even pressure on both rims of the feed wheel.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The handle bar is insertedin the socket of the upper or of the lower branch of the hand leveraccording to the convenience of the operator. The knob on the feed tableis pressed downward and the straight ruler is moved until its inner edgecoincides with the proper mark on the scale. The downward pressure onsaid knob lowers the cross lever and with it the rocker member on, whichis mounted the idler wheel, thereby removing the idler wheel fromcontact with the feed wheel. The stencil blank is then inserted in l i 1l i i i i i dies below the stripper plate.

If the stencil to be cut is a straight line stencil, its outer edge ispressed against the straight ruler. If the stencil to be cut iscircular, the blank is pinned pivotally to said straight ruler by a pin62 which enters a hole in the middle of said ruler or the blank may bepinned to the shelf at one of the above mentioned holes 53 in saidshelf. Then the knob or plunger on the feed table is released and thespring thereon forces the lever in an upward direction carrying with itthe rocker member on which is mounted the idler wheel, thereby causingthe idler wheel to clamp the stencil blank against the feed wheel. Thenthe hand wheel is turned until the indicators show the desired punch tobe in coo1t)erative relation with the plunger. Then the hand lever isactuated to depress the rain or plunger. The initial stage of the motionof the hand lever and of the ram causes the centering pin to enter oneof the holes in the punch holder, and, by hearing on the beveled edgethereof accurately adjusts the position of the punch and die withrespect to the stencil blank. Said centering pin, by hearing against theupper surface of the punch holder, locks and prevents the downwardmovement of the plunger 20 whenever the device is not properly centered.The continual movement of the ram, after effecting the centering actioncauses the ram to bear against the end of the shank of the punch andforce it into its counterpart die, thereby cutting the desired characterin the stencil blank; The same movement of the hand lever forcesdownward the base member of the feed mechanism and advances the pawltherein beyond the point of operative contact with the ratchet wheelwithout moving said ratchet wheel. On the back stroke of the hand lever,in case the punch is not lifted by its own spring, the plunger willraise the punch to its normal position. By the same back stroke of thehand lever the feed pawl is likewise retracted and in the course of itsbackward movement comes into operative contact with the ratchet wheeland turns the saine, thereby also turning the feed wheel fixed on thesame shaft, which movement of the feed wheel feeds the stencil blank onespace. The toothed wheel and steadying spring insure the accuratespacing of the stencil feed. This feed movement occurs on the returnstroke of the handlever after the punch has got clear of its die and thestencil blank, the first portion of the backward stroke of the pawlbeing lost or ine'ff until it comes into operative engage with itsratchet wheel. The stripper plate prevents the stencil blank from risingwith the punch. V

By making the die carrier of a sheet metal proper position between thepunches and the plate and a body member supporting the same, the dieopenings and screw holes hereinbefore mentioned may be punchedaccurately at their required positions, thereby securing uniformity andinterchangeability of parts, and effecting great economies inmanufacture. In such construction, the top plate is thin in comparisonwith the thickness of the body member whose function is to furnishelements of strength and rigidity for the die carrier.

Obviously, my device admits of considerable modification withoutdeparting from my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limitedto the specific construction shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In a rotary stencil cutting machine, a die carrier, comprising acircular base and a comparatively thin circular top plate concentricallymounted thereon, said top plate being of greater diameter than the baseand having a concentric series of openings in the projecting marginthereof.

2 In a rotary stencil machine, a die carrier com )rising a circular baseand a comparative y thin circular top plate concentrically mountedthereon, said top plate being of greater diameter than the base andhaving a concentric series of openings in the projecting margin thereof,and dies mounted over said openings.

3. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaft anda die carrier mounted on said shaft, said die carrier comprising acircular body piece and a comparatively thin circular to piece extendingbeyond the periphery of the said body piece and having a series of holesin its marginal portion concentric with the shaft, dies mounted oversaid holes, and means for supporting the said marginal portion of thetop piece of the die carrier.

4. A stencil machine comprising a frame,

a vertically mounted shaft thereon, a die carrier mounted on said.shaft, said die carrier comprising a circular body piece and a comaratively thin circular top piece ex ten ing beyond the periphery of thesaid body piece and having a series of holes in its marginal portionconcentric with the shaft, and dies mounted over said holes, and amember mounted on the base of the frame in position to sup ort theoutermost portion of the margin 0 said top piece of the die carrier.

5. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shafttherein, and a die carrier mounted on said shaft, said die carriercomprising a circular body piece having a series of brackets on theperiphery thereof, and a comparatively thin circular top plate extendingbeyond the periphery of the said body piece and having a series of holesin its marginal portion, said holes registering with spaces between saidbrackets and being concentric with the shaft, and dies mounted over saidholes.

6. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, a die carrier mounted on said shaft, said die carriercomprisinga circular body iece having a series of brackets on the perip ierythereof, and a comparatively thin circular to 3 plate extending beyondthe periphery of the said body piece and having a series of holes in itsmarginal portion, said holes registering with spaces between saidbrackets and being concentric with. the shaft, and dies mounted oversaid holes, and a member mounted on the base of the frame in position tosupport the outermost portion of the margin of said top piece.

7. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, and a die carrier mounted on said shaft, said die carriercomprising a circular body piece and a comparatively thin circular topplate extending beyond the periphery of the said body piece and having aseries of holes in its marginal portion concentric with the shaft anddies mounted over said holes, and a vertically adjustable member mountedon the base of the frame in position to support the outermost portion ofthe margin of said top plate.

8. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, and a punch holder mounted on said shaft, said punch holdercomprising a hub on said shaft, a circular web at the upper portion ofsaid hub, an angular outturned flange on the underside of said web nearthe periphery thereof to constitute a bifurcated marginal portion, andradial braces for reinforcing said marginal portion, said braces beingintegral with the underside of said Web and extending from said hub tothe lower portion of the vertical member of said angular flange, and aseries of punches concentrically mounted in bearings provided thereforin said bifurcated marginal portion.

9. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon and a punch holder mounted on said shaft, said punch holdercomprising a hub on said shaft, a circular web at the upper portion ofsaid hub, a bifurcated marginal portion, and radial braces forreinforcing said marginal portion, said braces being integral with theunderside of said web and extending from said hub to said bifurcatedportion, and a series of punches concentrically mounted in bearingsprovided therefor in said bifurcated marginal portion, and means forguiding said. punches.

10. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, a punch holder mounted on said shaft, said punch holdercomprising a body portion, a bifurcated marginal portion and radialbraces on the underside of said body portion extending to saidbifurcated marginal portion, punches concentrically mounted in saidbifurcated portion and means mounted on the frame for actuating saidpunches, and means for centering said punches, said centering meanscomprising a series of holes countersunk at their upper ends andconcentrically arranged in the punch holder, and a verticallyreciprocatable pin adapted to fit said holes and operatively connectedto the punch actuating means in position to cooperate with said holes.

11. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, a punch holder and a die carrier mounted on said shaft, punchesand dies operatively mounted with respect to each other, means mountedon said frame for actuating said punches and means for centering saidpunches and said actuating means with respect to each other and a springfor retracting said punch actuating means, said centering means comprising a series of holes concentrically arranged in the top of the punchholder and countersunk at their upper ends, and a vertically reciprocatable pin mounted in a socket in the frame and adapted to fitsaid holes, and a spring mounted in said socket in position to surroundsaid pin.

12. In a rotary stencil machine, a frame conun-ising a base portion anda yoke, stencil cutting devices at the front of the machine, and meansmounted on said yoke for actuating said devices, said yoke comprising aguard member adjacent to and incasing the stencil cutting devices at thefront of the machine aud extending laterally for a considerable distanceon each side of said actuating means.

13. In a rotary stencil machine, a frame comprising a base portion and ayoke supported thereby, a shaft in said frame, a rotary punch carriermounted on said shaft, and punches mounted on the marginal portion ofsaid carrier, and means mounted on said yoke for actuating said punches,said yoke comprising upright members and a curved Web which is close toand incases the upper front portion of said punch carrier and extendslaterally for a considerable distance on each side of said actuatingmeans.

let. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertical shaft mountedthereon, a die carrier and a punch holder mounted on said shaft, diesand punches cooperatively mounted on said die carrier and punch holder,re-

spectively, means for actuating said punches,

and a feed mechanism comprising a feed table, spaced parallel tracksmounted on said table, a straight ruler slidably mounted on said tracks,means for holding said ruler in adjusted position, and means formanipulating said ruler.

15. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertical shaft mountedthereon, a die carrier and a punch holder mounted on said shaft, dies and punches cooperatively mounted on said die carrier and punch holder, respectively, means for actuating said punches, a feed mechanismcomprising a feed table, tracks mounted on said table, a straight rulerslidably mounted on said tracks, means for holding said ruler inposition, said holding means comprising spring-actuated clamps, andmeans for manipulating said ruler.

16. In a stencil machine, a feed mechanism comprising a feed table,spaced parallel tracks mounted on said table, a straight ruler slidablymounted on said tracks, means for holding said ruler in correctalinement, and means'for manipulating said ruler, said holding meanscomprising slidable side brackets having double hearings on said tracks.

17. In a stencil machine, a feed mechanism comprising a feed table,tracks mounted. on said table, a ruler slidably mounted on said tracks,a feed Wheel and an idle Wheel, said idle wheel being mounted on arocker member, and means for actuating said rocker member and forclamping and releasing said straight ruler, said means comprising aspring actuated plunger and means for manipulating said plunger.

18. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, stencil cutting devices operatively mounted on said shaft, andmeans for actuating said stencil cutting devices, said actuating meanscomprising a plunger and a hand lever, said hand lever comprising a bodymember having a socket therein and a handle bar having one of its endsadapted to ht into said socket, and means for locking said handle barwhen so fitted, said locking means comprising an annular groove on. saidhandle bar and a spring actuated pin adapted to engage the said handlebar in the said groove.

19. A stencil machine comprising frame, a vertically mounted shaftthereon, stencil cutting devices operatively mounted on said shaft, andmeans for actuating said stencil cutting devices, said actuating meanscon1- prising a plunger and a hand lever, said hand lever comprising abody member having tWo branches arranged at approximately right anglesto each other, and a handle bar adapted to cooperate with either of saidbranches.

20. A stencil machine comprising a frame, a vertical shaft mountedthereon, a hand Wheel mountedon said shaft, to actuate the same, a punchholder and a die carrier mounted on said shaft, punches and dies op saidpunches, and means for indicating the 5 cooperative relation of saidpunches to said prising a member movable With said hand Wheel and apointer mounted on said frame in operative relation to said member, anda laterally extending guard mounted on the frame and arranged to incasethe marginal actuating means, said indicating means comruary, 1908, atNew York, N. 1.

port-ions of the die carrier and punch holder ad acent to the actuatingmeans.

In testimony whereof I have signed my I name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 7 day of Feb- ANDREW J.BRADLEY. Witnesses F. J. GUNDERMAN, GEO. O. DECKER.

